Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, we’re excited to celebrate and share a monumental milestone—AVID's 45th anniversary! This year, we’ll honor the remarkable achievements of our community and pave the way for another year of success. For a glimpse of our journey so far, check out our anniversary video, which highlights AVID’s transformative path and lasting impact since it began in 1980.
As part of our celebrations, stay tuned for our "Every 45 Days" announcements throughout the year as we reflect on AVID’s legacy. Our second update is here, and we’re thrilled to announce that nominations for the AVID Global Achievement Awards are open!
These awards honor educators who have made extraordinary contributions to the AVID College and Career Readiness System and the success of students worldwide. Finalists will be celebrated at AVID sites, districts, and the 2025 Summer Institutes™, with winners honored at the 2025 AVID National Conference.
January 6 to February 5, 2025, is School Board Appreciation Month—we are grateful for school board members throughout the country who prioritize college and career readiness and invest in their students’ futures. This month, every AVID district in the country will receive a Proclamation expressing our appreciation from our CEO and President, Dr. Thuan Nguyen on behalf of AVID Center. Additionally, resources to support communicating and celebrating the impact AVID has on the districts we partner with can be found on our Celebrate Your Impact page.
To an exciting year ahead,
AVID Center
AVID Featured Story
New Blog: Strengthening Student and Parent Experiences Through Community and Philanthropic Partnerships
Ever wondered how community and philanthropic partnerships are driving success within the AVID community and how you can start your own? Cindy Ayala, AVID Grants Management Specialist, dives into the powerful collaborations with local businesses, foundations, and universities that are transforming schools, enhancing student achievement, and fostering deeper family and community engagement.
In a rural school district in Northeast Texas, the AVID program has transformed lives at Cooper Junior/Senior High School since its launch eight years ago. After seeing AVID's potential at demo schools in Dallas, educators eagerly implemented the program for grades 6–12 to help all students achieve their dreams. The results were impressive: improved teaching practices, enhanced student organization, and increased college acceptance rates.
As the program expanded to include elementary schools, its impact deepened. Former AVID students, such as Randa Thompson, Derrick Robinson, and Cayla Kimbrell, returned as educators, embodying the AVID spirit and giving back to their community. AVID has not only equipped students with vital skills but also fostered a supportive community of lifelong learners dedicated to nurturing the next generation. The legacy of AVID in Cooper ISD continues to thrive, demonstrating that even in small towns, big impacts are possible.
Submitted by Jacie Ballard, AVID Elective Teacher and Coordinator for Cooper Junior/Senior High School.
Each AVID Community Newsletter will feature a Spotlight story, highlighting the amazing anecdotes out there in the AVID world from educators just like you!
Upcoming PL Events and Webinars
AVID Ignite® Virtual Professional Learning Jan. 28–29!
Immerse yourself in 12 hours of virtual personalized learning, engage with ten dynamic Communities of Practice, and take advantage of nationwide networking opportunities—all designed to elevate your skills and strategies for the 2025 school year.
Final Chance for AVID Emerge Virtual Learning: Register Now for February 18–19
Don't miss the last AVID Emerge Secondary virtual learning session of the school year, happening February 18–19, 2025! Enhance your strategies for supporting multilingual learners and integrate AVID Emerge Secondary best practices into your classroom. Register now.
Small Shifts that Make Big Lifts: Daily Instruction for Elementary Multilingual Scholars
Join us for the next session in our Advancing Multilingual Learners webinar series: Small Shifts That Make Big Lifts: Daily Instruction for Elementary Multilingual Scholars. Discover AVID Emerge™ Elementary Toolkit and learn strategies to accelerate language development and foster collaboration. Register today for the January 30 webinar!
Apply for the AVID Certified Educator 2025 Cohort!
Ready to take your teaching to the next level? Applications for the AVID Certified Educator 2025 Cohort are officially open! Join a community of dedicated educators focused on student success, professional growth, and readiness. Enhance your expertise and refine your teaching practices to make a lasting impact. Apply today and elevate your impact!
AVID Summer Professional Learning Registration Opens Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Registration for both AVID Summer Institute™ (in-person, 10 locations) and AVID Ignite™ (virtual professional learning) opens on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 7:00 am PT. Mark your calendars and get ready for high-impact experiences focused on student success and best practices for educators.
The 25–26 FAFSA is open! Slides (available in Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides) are updated monthly to support AVID students and their peers schoolwide.
New for January: Scholarship opportunities through Scholarship America, Hispanic Scholarship Fund, United Negro College Fund, Point Foundation, and American Indian College Fund.
Tallo has expanded their Career Success Platform. Check out the newly revamped Tallo Scholarship Search Tool for college and career scholarships!
AVID Open Access Podcasts
If it relates to education and matters to you, we're talking about it on our podcasts.Tune in every Tuesday and Wednesday for a new episode of Tech Talk For Teachers and Unpacking Education. If you're interested in hearing from our alums, tune into AVIDly Adulting™, the podcast where guests tackle the wild ride of transitioning into their first career and all of the life lessons in between and beyond.
